This lesson teaches children that God is fair and kind, and he cares most for people who have no one to help them. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is fair, and he takes care of people who are poor, sad, or in need. Good leaders help him do this work.
Memory Verse
Psalm 72:12
For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper.
(WEB)
Hold both hands out flat, palms up, like you are offering a gift. Then lift them up toward heaven as you say the verse together. Do this every time you hear the word “needy” in the story.
The Story: Psalm 72 for Kids
Long ago, a king in Israel was getting ready to rule. A man named David wrote a special prayer for his son, who would become king after him. In the prayer, David asked God to help this new king be fair to everyone in the land. He wanted the king to think of the people who had the least.
David prayed that the king would judge the people with fairness. He asked that the king would help the poor and the children who had no one to protect them. The prayer said that the hills and mountains would bring good things like fruit and food. Everyone would have enough to eat and live well.
The prayer pictured the king like gentle rain falling on fresh grass. Rain does not crash down. It soaks slowly into the ground so every plant can drink. A good king would bring that kind of care to his people, quietly and steadily. David prayed that peace would fill the land for as long as the sun and moon shone.
David said that people from faraway places would come to honor this king. Some would bring gifts of gold and spices. The prayer said that people would pray for the king and bless him every day. It said that everyone would be glad he was their king. David wanted the people to remember who really rules over all.
The prayer ends with praise to the LORD, the God of Israel. David says that God alone does wonderful things. He asks that the whole earth would be filled with God’s glory. David says “Amen and amen,” which means, “Yes, it is true, and it is true again.” Then the prayer is finished.
Read It Together
Psalm 72:1-2
1 God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son. 2 He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
(WEB)
Point out that David starts by asking God to give the king right and fair judgment. Ask the children what they think “fair” means. Explain that fair means treating everyone with respect, even when it is hard.
Psalm 72:12-14
12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper. 13 He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy. 14 He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.
(WEB)
Show the children how these verses name the people God cares for most: the poor, the needy, and those who have no helper. Explain that God sees each person as precious, and he wants leaders to care for them the same way.
Psalm 72:18-19
18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 19 Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen.
(WEB)
Point out the words “blessed” and “glory” in these verses. Help the children say “Blessed be God” out loud together. Explain that praising God is one way we remember he is the true King over everything.
Talk About It
- What does it look like to treat someone fairly at school or at home?
- Who are some people who might need help, and how could we help them?
- What did the rain in the story remind you of, and why do you think David used that picture?
- Why do you think God cares so much about people who are poor or sad?
- What is one thing you could say to thank God for being our true King?
Activity Ideas
Crown and Heart Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child draw a large crown on one side of the paper, then draw a heart on the other side. Ask them to write or draw one way a king could be kind and fair inside the heart. Let them color their crown gold and share their picture with the group.
Fair Share Game
You will need a bag of small snacks or pennies and a few cups. Divide the children into small groups and give each group a pile of items. Ask them to share the pile so that everyone gets an equal amount, paying special attention to the child who has the least. Talk about how it felt to make sure everyone had enough, and connect it to the king in Psalm 72 who cared for the needy.
Rain Jar Take-Home
You will need a clear jar, water, a small cup of cotton balls, and a sheet of paper. Show the children how the cotton balls soak up water slowly, like gentle rain on the grass. Let them take the jar home with a note that says, “God cares for the needy like gentle rain.” Encourage the family to talk about one way they can care for someone who needs help this week.
Teacher Notes
Psalm 72 is a prayer that David wrote, traditionally connected to his son Solomon, asking God to give the king a heart for justice and mercy. For adults, the psalm shows that God’s own justice is the model for human leaders, and that God personally cares for the vulnerable. It also points forward to a king whose rule would bring lasting peace and blessing to all the nations.
With children, avoid suggesting that every leader or ruler will always be good or that God’s blessings always appear as rain, fruit, or gold. Keep the focus on God’s character as fair and kind, and on the idea that we can trust him and serve others in the same spirit.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you for being fair and kind to everyone. Help us to care for people who are poor, sad, or need a friend. Teach us to be like gentle rain that helps others grow. We praise you as our true King forever. Amen.
